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Whether you have a large amount of money to spend or you’re planning your vacation on a strict budget, you will find many advantages to planning ahead for the cost of your trip. Once you’ve created a budget for your vacation, you can rest easily with the reassurance that you won’t find an alarmingly large credit card bill or several overdraft fees waiting for you when you get home. Estimating all the costs associated with a vacation can be tricky, so you’ll need to take the time to consider all aspects of your trip and provide a small fund for each.

Step 1

Determine how you are going to get to your location and list all the means of transportation you will need. Many vacationers budget for their airfare but forget about the cost of getting to their hotel and around town. Cab or bus fare should be included in your budget. If you are driving, a site such as GasBuddy.com can help you estimate the cost of gas from one location to the next. This site takes into consideration the various gas prices across the country, the miles you will travel and the type of vehicle you’re driving. Don’t forget to include an extra tank or two of gas for getting around town once you’re there.

Step 2

Set aside extra money for unexpected travel costs. If you are driving, this may be a snack along the road, tolls, parking meters or a quick car wash or vacuum when your child spills juice and crackers all over the backseat. For those who are flying, you should plan to pay extra for checked luggage. You will also want to plan for snacks and magazines at the airport between flights, especially if you’re travelling with cranky family members who may need appeasing.

Step 3

Make hotel reservations when possible so you can budget accurately. If you prefer to travel with a more flexible itinerary, compare the prices of several hotels in the area at a site such as Hotels.com, and budget for a room somewhere in the middle. Include extra funds in your budget for Internet access and pay-per-view movies if you will be taking advantage of these. Keep extra cash on hand for vending machines as well as a tip for the housekeeper.

Step 4

Provide a generous fund for meals. While you can easily estimate the costs of fast food stops along the road, keep in mind that even a fast food chain may charge more if it is within a theme park. Remember to include tips for sit-down restaurants. Don’t stop at three meals a day, either. Most vacations involve lots of walking and activities that can work up an appetite. Plan for at least two snacks each day. If you don’t plan to carry water bottles with you, you should budget for drinks as well, especially in warm climates. Don’t be surprised when a bottle of water costs $3 or $4 at a popular tourist destination.

Step 5

Price admission for any attractions you plan to see. Buy tickets ahead of time when possible. Discounts are often available for packages that are purchased online prior to your trip. If you’re buying tickets upon arrival, include some wiggle room in your budget for any price increases.

Step 6

Set a budget for souvenirs. For many travelers, this is the easiest place to cut back if need be. You can’t do much about increased gas prices or unexpectedly pricey food, but you can save your budget at the last minute by cutting out souvenirs if need be. However, neglecting to include these little trinkets in your budget at all is asking for trouble. Realize that you’ll more than likely see postcards, T-shirts and other kitschy items that you want to take home with you. Don’t forget the ride photos and autograph books you may be tempted to purchase at theme parks.

Step 7

Add an emergency fund to your final total. If a member of your party gets sick during the vacation, you may need to purchase over-the-counter medications on the spot--no matter how expensive they are there. While you can take basic medications with you, it’s cumbersome walking around with a travelling pharmacy and many situations cannot be foreseen. You may also need to stop at a clinic for more serious situations. Make sure you understand how your insurance coverage would work in this situation, and have some extra money to cover your share of the expenses.

Tip

Keep a copy of your itemized budget handy in your wallet. Check on it periodically to make sure you're staying on track. If you find yourself overspending, you may need to cut back on tickets and souvenirs on the last few days of your trip.

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About the Author

Mandi Rogier is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about a wide range of topics. As a previous employee of Walt Disney World, she enjoys writing travel articles that make use of her extensive knowledge of Orlando theme parks.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.